Kyle Anderson, Lockport, IL, and Megan Buja, Rockford, IL, have been named the Chuck Hall and Alberta E. Crowe Stars of Tomorrow, respectively, for 2012.

A freshman at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, Anderson is studying accounting, finance and business. He also is taking sports management courses, and someday would like to have a career in the bowling industry.

“It means so much to me to be selected for this award,” Anderson said. “I am honored to be selected for a national award honoring Chuck Hall and one that has been given to others who I have admired as bowlers. It actually humbles me to think about it.”

Buja is a sophomore at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where she is majoring in Human Ecology - Dietetics. She plans to become a physician's assistant or attend medical school.

A two-time member of the Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team, she was a four-year member of the Jefferson High School bowling team and was captain her last two years. She helped her team win the state title in 2008 and had a 300 game as Jefferson was the state runner-up in 2010, her senior year. Off the lanes, she was class valedictorian, editor of the school yearbook, class secretary and student council member.

"Being selected as the Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow winner is definitely an honor," Buja said. "Former winners of this award have gone on to become important figures in the world of competitive bowling, and it is incredible to receive the same award that these women received."

Anderson started bowling at age 5, and when he was 6, he said his league director gave him a medal for Bowler of the Year. From that point, he was hooked on the sport.

A May 2011 graduate from Lockport High School, Anderson had a weighted grade-point average of 4.13 on a 4.0 scale. He was a three-time winner of the Porter Pride Award, given to a Lockport student for athletic leadership and academic achievement.

On the lanes, he was the first individual to win back-to-back high school bowling titles in Illinois, winning the state title in 2010 and 2011. A five-time competitor at the USBC Junior Gold Championships, he finished eighth at the 2011 event in Las Vegas. He placed 17th at the 2011 North Pointe High School Singles Championships.

Buja already has enjoyed success on the collegiate level as a member of the UMES team that captured the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships and NCAA Women's Bowling national titles in 2011. She also qualified for the USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championships. She made the Dean's List in fall 2010 and spring 2011 and was a National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association Academic All-American.

Her community volunteer activities include serving as a middle school and junior league bowling coach, working as a lane monitor for Special Olympics, church mission trips and participating in the Relay For Life.

The Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow Award is named for the former Young American Bowling Alliance executive director, who spent much of his life helping young people through his association with junior bowling. Presented by the United States Bowling Congress, the award annually recognizes star qualities in a male high school senior or college student who competes in the sport of bowling.

Named in honor of the seven-term president of the Women's International Bowling Congress, the Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow Award is presented to a female USBC member who exhibits star qualities such as distinguished bowling performances on the state and national levels, academic achievement and extracurricular and community involvement.